Pre-Match Thoughts: Warne Looking Forward To Final Day Battle

Derby County Head Coach Paul Warne says he's 'really looking forward' to the final game of the regular Sky Bet League One season against Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday (12pm kick-off).

The Rams travel to Hillsborough knowing that a win will guarantee them a place in the Sky Bet League One play-offs later this month to give them a chance at returning to the Championship at the first time of asking.

Warne spoke to RamsTV on Friday morning to preview the trip to Yorkshire.

On how he's feeling ahead of the final game...

I'm really looking forward to the weekend. The lads have put us in a good position and we go into the game fearless. I'm well aware that we haven't done that well away from home against the top teams this season so we'll have to do really well to come away with something. That's our intention. There's no point catastrophising about it now - we just have to play our best and give ourself a chance.

On trying to ignore the ongoings elsewhere...

It isn't easy. I'm well aware that during the game that if I see the Derby end celebrate when the ball is out of play then I've got a funny feeling that Barnsley might have scored against Peterborough!

I appreciate a draw could be enough but it's very difficult to set up to get a draw, it's not in our nature to set up to get a draw.

A lot could happen and a lot could change. Knowing how football is, a lot will change on the day. If we're at our best we give them a good game and if we're not successful then we're not good enough to get in the play-offs and that's as simple as it is.

On the possibility of playing Sheffield Wednesday three times in a row...

It's not about not showing my hand, it's just about getting through. If we do get into the play-offs and we do get Sheffield Wednesday then it will be two really big games that everyone can enjoy but we've just got to get through Sunday first and give ourselves the best chance to do so.

On Sheffield Wednesday this season...

I think they've been amazing and to consistently win the way they have is impressive. Ipswich Town and Plymouth Argyle have been in unbelievable form and had it not been for that then Sheffield Wednesday would have had a top two spot.

Them missing out on automatic promotion doesn't detract from the great season they've had. The other two teams were in such scintillating form and have just pipped it but that doesn't mean that Wednesday haven't been brilliant, because they have been.

On how the players are feeling...

If I was a player I'd just be looking forward to the challenge. As a player you just want to go out and play and you always want to go out and play so that's my job to manage that.

I think they'll be excited by the challenge.. You don't have the same fear you have as a fan or a manager. I think they are looking forward to it. They trained really well on Wednesday and we'll see what they are like today and on Saturday.

On the players drawing on experience in the camp...

The senior professionals especially have a role to play, the way they have managed to keep themselves fit through the winter months and playing as many games as we have - they've done that for a reason, to try and achieve something.

They've got experience and are used to playing in front of big crowds. We've got a bit of experience and the ignorance of youth, which is the nicest way to put it.

Our intention is to go there and put a real good marker down and have real good confidence that if we do perform well and if we do get in the play-offs then we can carry that forward.